First stop - Brisbane

Dear all, I am going to write this in English in respect to my international friends who, although I strongly encourage, will not force to learn Dutch in order to read my travel blog. You are welcome:)

So, for those of you that may not know (yet), I left for the east coast of Australia a couple of days ago for what I consider the second travel chapter of my midlife sabbatical work break I have allowed myself since the beginning of this year. In Januari, after a short detour to Vietnam, I spent a month in Bali on what really felt as a holiday, sightseeing the island, learning how to surf and enjoyed all the good things of the balinese lifestyle.  Being back in the Netherlands the travel chapter felt unfinished and after some short consideration and brainstorming on the destination and decided on the land down-under. Australia. So here I am.

First stop, after a journey of more than 30 hours door to door, is Brisbane.   What a cool city!  There is a huge contrast between the high rise business district in the north and the suburban, cultural area from the south banks to the west.   I am staying at a heritage house dated from 1883 in West End close to the buzz of many restaurants and markets. What I noticed as well is that city is extremely clean and well organised for its residents.There is a great public street beach in the south bank park where you can go for a swim and sun tan. Didn't go for a swim yet but very tempting...maybe this after. Visited the botanical gardens where it seems the whole of "healthy and fit" Brisbane goes for a run or do outdoor yoga.   This morning I went to visit the Davies park Saturday market, apparently a must do when you are here. OK, it is a nice market....but it is a market!!!   You buy food, you eat some food, and then are many stalls with all kinds of stuff you don't need. You get my point:).  A bit more strolling around this afternoon and that's it.  Brisbane is not so big and diverse that two days is enough it seems.  A nice place though get settled and acclimatised here in Aussie.

Well, one more night here and then tomorrow I can pick up my camper which will be my home for the next month or so.  Very excited and cannot wait to be on the road and explore the country.  To be continued......